Tool holder

ABSTRACT

In the known holders, it can always happen that the tools are not correctly placed in the associated receiving holes so that improper processing of workpieces can thereby occur. 
     To eliminate this drawback, a holder having a gauge associated with every receiving hole is proposed and an elongated measuring channel defining a fine gauge guide is provided. The gauges are disposed at or in the latter and the receiving holes are provided in the marginal region thereof.

The invention relates to a tool holder.

Cabinets for the reception and storage of, for example, cylindricalcutters for metal processing, especially drill bits of differentdiameter--drill bits are always assumed below although the device inaccordance with the invention can also be used for cylindrical tools orworkpieces of any type--are known and the respective drill bits areinserted in suitably dimensioned storage openings therein for storageand availability. The diameters of the storage openings correspondessentially to the diameters of the respective drill bit. These cabinetscome in different dimensions and shapes. Common to all is a bore in thecabinet which matches the particular dimension of the drill bit and, inaddition, can be marked with the nominal diameter of the respectivedrill bit.

The main purpose of these cabinets is to hold the required drill bit inreadiness classified by diameter so that the user can locate and againstore the desired drill bit more easily. This is more important wheredrill bits for precision operation are stocked in increments of 0.1 mm.The known cabinets are thus provided with receiving bores ofcorrespondingly narrow tolerances.

When the drill bits being used are in the proper holes, it is easy tolocate a particular desired diameter, especially when the nominaldiameters are indicated at the holes. Similarly, reinsertion is easywhen all of the existing receiving holes are filled with drill bits andonly the removed drill bit must once more be inserted in what is thenthe only available receiving hole. When receiving holes of greatlydiffering diameter are available, it is also relatively easy to locatethe proper hole. Moreover, it is easy to locate the proper receivinghole when the drill bit is new and the nominal diameter stamped thereinis still clearly legible. However, due to use, the stamp generallybecomes illegible after a very short period and thus becomes unsuitablefor determination of the nominal diameter.

A problem arises when receiving holes from adjoining nominal ranges,e.g., 2.3 mm-2.6 mm, are available and the stamped nominal diameters ofthe drill bits are illegible. If the user is then not completely certainabout the diameter, the corresponding receiving hole can only bedetermined in a time-consuming manner by experimentation. Should thishole increase in diameter, however, due to frequent use, there is agreat danger that the respective drill bit will be inserted in the wrongreceiving hole. As a result, use of the improperly classified drill bitwithout a check will result in the production of an improper bore whichcan make the workpiece unusable and thereby lead to high costs.

In practice, therefore, the drill bits must be measured with a caliperrule prior to storage. Very often, however, this is omitted for the sakeof convenience or because no caliper rule is available at the moment.The drill bits are simply randomly inserted in one of the free holes andthe abovementioned problem accordingly arises very frequently.Furthermore, the measurement with the caliper rule and the reading ofthe value, as well as insertion in the appropriate receiving hole, arerelatively time-consuming and troublesome.

It is an object of the invention to provide a holder which allowsreliable classification of cylindrical workpieces to be accomplishedrapidly and without great vigilance.

This object of the invention is achieved in that the holder has a gaugeassociated with each receiving hole as well as a fine gauge guide in theform of an elongated measuring channel. The gauges are disposed at or inthe channel and the receiving holes are provided in a marginal regionthereof.

Thus, the invention proposes that an appropriate gauge be associatedwith each receiving hole of a holder. The gauges are matched to theincrement in nominal diameter and can be connected to one another.

In general, drill bits of a specific size are arranged in a row, e.g.,the sizes ranging from 4.1 mm to 5.O mm in increments of 0.1 mm in afirst row and the sizes ranging upwards from 5.1 mm to a predetermineddrill bit size in increments of 0.1 mm in a second row. The number ofrows is arbitrary but, for the sake of expediency, a holder can, forexample, be manufactured with size ranges of 1.0 mm-6.0 mm and then 6.1mm-10.0 mm, etc., so that five rows of drill bits can generally bedisposed in a cabinet.

The gauges are advantageously located in front of the correspondingreceiving holes but can just as well be located behind the same. Sincethe arrangement of the receiving holes in the holders is normally suchthat the smaller dimensions are situated to the left and the larger onesto the right, the gauges are arranged accordingly, that is, thearrangement of the gauges matches the arrangement of the receivingholes.

Likewise, the individual rows of receiving holes can be associated withrespective gauges which are set to the largest nominal diameter of thecorresponding row and are collectively referred to below as a coarsegauge guide.

In a holder according to the invention, it is now very easy to locate aparticular receiving hole. The drill bit need only be introduced intothe coarse gauge guide and then moved in a direction towards the smallersizes until it abuts the gauge for the largest drill bit of the row. Acoarse determination is thus achieved and the drill bit can now beshifted sideways along the corresponding row of gauges, i.e., thecorresponding measuring channel, for fine determination until it engagesthe respective matching gauge and can be inserted in the associatedreceiving hole.

The gauges can be constructed in different ways. Thus, it is possible toprovide relatively thin and small gauges adapted to measure the shaft ofthe drill bit, or gauges having a wide surface for measurement of thenominal diameter of the cutting section. Here, the width is selected insuch a manner that, depending upon the nominal diameter of the drillbit, it corresponds to at least half the length of the drill bit pitch.Since drill bit shafts are frequently damaged and do not permit precisemeasurement, it is preferred to measure the nominal diameter of thecutting section.

The holder can also be used for other tools which may not have acylindrical shape.

Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are described below withreference to the drawings. In the drawings;

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a holder in accordancewith the invention,

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a second embodiment of the holdershowing the relationship between the coarse gauge guide, measuringchannel and gauges,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of another embodiment of the holder,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of an additional embodiment of the holder,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of a further embodiment of the holderhaving modified gauges, and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of still another embodiment of the holder.

In FIG. 1, a holder, which can also be referred to as a cabinet, isidentified by 10 and consists of a block-like part made of plastic, forexample. The holder 10 may have a desk-like design in order to provideeasy access.

The holder 10 is provided with receiving holes 1 which conform to therespective nominal diameter of the cylindrical tool. In the drawing,these nominal diameters are shown in association with the receivingholes 1.

Measure channels 4, which constitute fine gauge guides 3 and in which agauge 2 is assigned to each receiving hole 1, are associated with thereceiving holes 1. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1,each gauge 2 is formed by abutments 5 and 6 which extend over the entireheight of the respective measuring channel 4 and consist ofwear-resistant material. Considering the receiving hole having a size of9.5 mm, it is clear that the two abutments 5,6 which are located to theleft of the same must be spaced from one another by precisely 9.4 mm. Adrill bit having a nominal diameter of 9.4 mm or less can be passedthrough the space, defined by the abutments 5 and 6 while a drill bithaving a nominal diameter in excess of 9.4 mm cannot be passed through.The drill bit in question then has a size of 9.5 mm and can be insertedin the receiving hole identified by the code 9.5. Since the gauges fornominal drill bit diameters of 9.6 and greater are located before thereceiving hole 9.5, i.e., the gauge for 9.5 mm is located before thehole 9.5, only a drill bit having a diameter of maximum 9.5 mm will beable to pass this gauge and penetrate to the gauge 9.4. A drill bithaving a diameter of 9.6 mm will not be able to enter the hole 9.5because it cannot pass the preceding gauges.

The measuring channels 4 open into a measuring channel 9 whichconstitutes a coarse gauge guide. Cooperating gauges made up ofabutments 5 and 6 are provided here also and a drill bit inserted in themeasuring channel 9 can therefore be passed through the measuringchannel 9 only when it has a nominal diameter smaller than therespective gauge which has been reached and consists of the abutments 5and 6.

The receiving holes 1 have a depth which is greater than the depth ofthe measuring channel 4. Accordingly, the drill bits are so deeplyseated in the receiving holes that drill bits to be guided in themeasuring channels 4 and 9 can be manipulated without problem. This isparticularly clear from the cutaway showing at the bottom of FIG. 1.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the holder 10 consists generallyof plastic and a portion of each abutment 5 and 6 extending over onlypart of the height of the respective gauge is composed of anothermaterial.

While the receiving holes 1 do not communicate with the measuringchannels 4 in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiving holes 1aopen to the measuring channels 4a in the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4.In this manner, it becomes possible to simplify transfer of thecylindrical workpiece from the measuring channel into the receivingopenings.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the gauges 2 do not consist of opposedabutments 5 and 6 but, instead, are constituted by guide strips 7 whichare provided with projections 5a and 6a forming respective gauges. Thisarrangement is particularly well-suited for measurement of the drill bitshaft. A shear-like sheet metal strip can also be provided as per FIG.6.

If the cutting section of the drill bit is to be measured, it isnecessary for the abutments 5 and 6 to extend over at least half thelength of a drill bit pitch taking into consideration the nominaldiameter of the drill bit.

Not illustrated in the drawing but falling within the scope of theinvention is the possibility that the holder is equipped with a cover.The receiving holes 1 can then be disposed in the base portion of theholder and the measuring channels 4 and 9 with the associated gauges inthe cover. In this manner, the operation of the device can be furtherimproved. The gauges can also be disposed in the base portion at thefront wall or the side wall.

I claim:
 1. A holder for articles of different cross-sectional area,particularly for tools having cylindrical sections of differentdiameter, comprising a support; at least one set of apertures ofdifferent cross-sectional area in said support for accommodatingrespective articles; and at least one gauge in said support forestablishing the cross-sectional areas of the articles, said one gaugeincluding at least one channel arranged to extend, and designed toreceive the articles accommodated, by the apertures of said one set, andsaid one gauge further including a gauging element for each aperture ofsaid one set, said gauging elements being disposed along said onechannel, and each of said gauging elements representing across-sectional area which at least approximates the cross-sectionalarea of the respective aperture, said one channel opening to and atleast partly bounding the apertures of said one set.
 2. A holder forarticles of different cross-sectional area, particularly for toolshaving cylindrical sections of different diameter, comprising a support;at least one set of apertures of different cross-sectional area in saidsupport for accommodating respective articles; and at least one gauge insaid support for establishing the cross-sectional areas of the articles,said one gauge including at least one channel arranged to extend, anddesigned to receive the articles accommodated, by the apertures of saidone set, and said one gauge further including a gauging element for eachaperture of said one set, said gauging elements being disposed alongsaid one channel, and each of said gauging elements representing across-sectional area which at least approximates the cross-sectionalarea of the respective aperture, each aperture of said one set beingdesigned to accommodate a drill bit having a respective pitch and eachof said gauging elements having a length at least equal to one-half ofthe respective pitch.
 3. A holder for articles of differentcross-sectional area, particularly for tools having cylindrical sectionsof different diameter, comprising a support; at least one set ofapertures of different cross-sectional area in said support foraccommodating respective articles; and at least one gauge in saidsupport for establishing the cross-sectional areas of the articles, saidone gauge including at least one channel arranged to extend, anddesigned to receive the articles accommodated, by the apertures of saidone set, and said one gauge further including a gauging element for eachaperture of said one set, said gauging elements being disposed alongsaid one channel, and each of said gauging elements representing across-sectional area which at least approximates the cross-sectionalarea of the respective aperture, each aperture of said one set beingdesigned to accommodate a drill bit having a respective pitch and thedepth of said one channel in the region of each of said gauging elementsbeing equal to at least one-half of the respective pitch.
 4. The holderof claim 3, further comprising another set of apertures, and second andthird gauges in said support for establishing the cross-sectional areasof articles, said second gauge including a second channel arranged toextend, and designed to receive the articles accommodated, by theapertures of said other set, and said second gauge further including agauging element for each aperture of said other set, said gaugingelements of said second gauge being disposed along said second channel,and each gauging element of said second gauge representing across-sectional area which at least approximates the cross-sectionalarea of the respective aperture, said third gauge including a thirdchannel extending transverse, and opening, to said one channel and saidsecond channel, and said third channel being designed to receivearticles accommodated by the apertures of said one and other sets, saidthird gauge further including a gauging element for each of said sets,and said gauging elements of said third gauge being disposed along saidthird channel, each gauging element of said third gauge representing across-sectional area which at least approximates the cross-sectionalarea of the smallest aperture of the respective set.
 5. The holder ofclaim 4, wherein said one and second channels are substantially parallelto one another.
 6. The holder of claim 5, wherein said third channel issubstantially perpendicular to said one and second channels.
 7. Theholder of claim 3, wherein each of said gauging elements comprises apair of opposed abutments projecting into said one channel from oppositesides thereof.
 8. The holder of claim 7, wherein said abutments comprisea wear-resistant material.
 9. The holder of claim 3, comprising aplate-like element having a portion which projects into said one channeland at least in part defines said gauging elements.
 10. The holder ofclaim 9, wherein said portion of said plate-like element extends alongsubstantially the entire length of said one channel.
 11. The holder ofclaim 9, wherein said portion of said plate-like element comprises awear-resistant material.
 12. The holder of claim 3, comprising a pair ofstrip-like elements extending along said one channel at opposite sidesthereof, each of said gauging elements including a pair of opposedabutments projecting into said one channel from respective ones of saidstrip-like elements.
 13. The holder of claim 12, wherein said strip-likeelements comprise a wear-resistant material.
 14. The holder of claim 3,wherein said one channel has a first depth and each aperture of said oneset has a greater depth.
 15. The holder of claim 3, wherein said supportcomprises plastic.
 16. The holder of claim 15, wherein said gaugingelements comprise metal.
 17. The holder of claim 3, wherein said supporthas a desk-like configuration.
 18. The holder of claim 3, wherein saidone channel is untapered.
 19. The holder of claim 3, wherein said onegauge is adjacent to the apertures of said one set.
 20. The holder ofclaim 3, wherein the apertures of said one set are arranged in a row andsaid one channel is substantially parallel to said row.